Ten new parliamentary standing committees were formed in the Jatiya Sangsad, bringing the total number of committees to 36. Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni proposed the formation and reconstitution of these committees, which were subsequently approved by voice votes. With this addition, the 13th Jatiya Sangsad now has 36 committees, including 30 ministry-related standing committees and 11 committees related to Parliament itself. The newly constituted committees cover a range of ministries, including disaster management and relief, local government, rural development and cooperatives, labour and employment, food, youth and sports, shipping, fisheries and livestock, primary and mass education, cultural affairs, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Ministry.
The parliamentary committee on the agriculture ministry was also reconstituted, with Md. Shahadat Hossain appointed as its chairman. The ten newly formed committees are headed by various members of Parliament, including Munshi Rafiqul Alam for disaster management and relief, AKM Selim Reza Habib for local government, rural development and cooperatives, Md. Shamsur Rahman Simul Biswas for labour and employment, Abdus Salam Pintu for food, Md Abul Khair Bhuiyan for youth and sports, Zainul Abdin Farroque for shipping, Khairul Kabir Khokon for fisheries and livestock, Mahmuda Habib for primary and mass education, Md. Barkat Ullah Bulu for cultural affairs, and Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan for the Chittagong Hill Tracts Ministry.
Parliamentary standing committees play a crucial role in the legislative process in Bangladesh. These committees are responsible for reviewing and providing recommendations on proposed laws, overseeing the functioning of various ministries, and ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations. The formation of these committees is a significant step towards enhancing the oversight and effectiveness of the legislative body.
The establishment of these committees reflects the commitment of the Jatiya Sangsad to strengthen its institutional framework and improve governance. By expanding the number of committees, the Parliament aims to ensure more comprehensive oversight of government activities and better representation of diverse interests within the legislative body.
The newly formed committees will be responsible for scrutinizing the policies and programs of their respective ministries, reviewing budgetary allocations, and addressing public concerns related to their areas of responsibility. This expansion of the committee structure is expected to enhance the Parliament’s ability to hold the executive branch accountable and ensure that government actions align with the needs and interests of the citizens.
The formation of these committees is a positive development for Bangladesh’s parliamentary democracy. It underscores the importance of robust institutional mechanisms for oversight and accountability, which are essential for good governance and the effective functioning of the legislative branch. As these committees begin their work, they will play a vital role in shaping policies, monitoring government performance, and representing the interests of the people in the legislative process.
